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Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be one of the players to watch when India take on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series. The experienced fast bowler is closing in on two major milestones that could add to his achievements in international cricket.
The 36-year-old was set to make his India comeback during the fifth T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru. However, rain washed out the match, leaving fans waiting to see the return of the ‘Swing King’ in Indian colours.
If selected for the New Zealand series, Bhuvneshwar could play his first international match for India since the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final against England in Adelaide.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar Eyes 100 T20I Wickets
Bhuvneshwar has a chance to become only the fifth Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in men’s T20 internationals.
The right-arm pacer has picked up 90 wickets in 87 T20Is at an average of 23.10. He needs 10 more wickets to reach the landmark and join an elite group of Indian bowlers.
Arshdeep Singh leads the list with 145 wickets, followed by Jasprit Bumrah with 126. Hardik Pandya has taken 114 wickets, while Axar Patel has 113 to his name.
Bhuvneshwar has also recorded two five-wicket hauls and three four-wicket hauls in the format, highlighting his ability to trouble batters with the new ball and deliver important breakthroughs.
Bhuvneshwar Closes In On 300 International Wickets
Apart from his T20I record, Bhuvneshwar is also approaching another significant milestone. He has taken 294 wickets across all three formats for India and needs six more to complete 300 international wickets.
If he reaches the mark, he will become the 14th Indian bowler overall and the ninth Indian fast bowler to achieve the feat.
The milestone would be another important moment in the career of a bowler who has been known for his swing, accuracy and ability to make life difficult for batters in the early overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s RCB Comeback
Bhuvneshwar’s recent performances in the Indian Premier League have given him another opportunity to push for an India comeback.
Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he picked up 45 wickets in 31 matches across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, averaging 22.55 with an economy rate of 8.52. His contributions helped RCB win back-to-back IPL titles.